Students/Future Students

Students seeking to make a real difference will find no better career than optometry. Only one degree qualifies you to become an optometrist: the Doctor of Optometry (OD), a four-year, doctoral-level degree. While concentrating primarily on structure, function and disorders of the eye, students in a professional OD program will also take courses in human anatomy, biochemistry and physiology, among others, to prepare for their role as primary-care doctors protecting patients’ overall health and wellness. Check out these resources for further information about this great career.

Graduate degree programs in optometry are usually research oriented and are for individuals interested in delving further into the “whys” and “hows” of the visual system. Master’s and/or PhD degrees are offered at many of the schools and colleges of optometry and are identified by different names, but all emphasize and explore some aspect of vision and the visual and ocular system.

Completing a residency in optometry is a unique and invaluable experience. The rich rewards gained from the year of advanced clinical training under an experienced mentor serve to enhance career opportunities and add to the level of confidence the resident has when beginning his/her post-residency career. Applying for a residency position is an easy process through the Optometry Residency Match (ORMatch).

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